Republic of Zaire, a former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
official name within the Democratic Republic of the Congo of the Congo River (the term Congo River is more widely used elsewhere).
the former name (1971–97) of the Democratic Republic of Congo
(formerly) the Zaïrian name (1971–97) for the (River) Congo
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before - in 1974 when the country was named Zaire.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
Shortly after his childhood home burned down in west Altadena, Zaire Calvin learned his mom’s insurance carrier had dropped her months before.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025
When Zaire became independent in 1960, he returned as a respected lieutenant in the army.
From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025
While Nigeria have been regular participants at the World Cup, the sole appearance by the Congolese came in 1974 when the mineral-rich central African country was called Zaire.
From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025
The Basongye of Zaire have a broad conception of what music is, but no corresponding term.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
